Spencer (soundtrack) explained

Spencer (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
Type:soundtrack
Artist:Jonny Greenwood
Cover:Spencer soundtrack.jpg
Released:12 November 2021
Genre:Soundtrack
Length:45:05
Label:Mercury KX
Chronology:Jonny Greenwood soundtrack
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Spencer (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) is the soundtrack to the 2021 film Spencer directed by Pablo Larraín. It was composed by Jonny Greenwood, and combines free jazz and classical baroque music highlighting the tragedy and emotions of Diana, Princess of Wales. The album was released on November 12, 2021, by Mercury KX label.

Background

Greenwood received an e-mail from Larrain insisting him to score the film, but as he was not familiar with his work, Larrain sent one of his filmographies, the Chilean film The Club (2015) which he liked and agreed to be on board. Instead of deriving George Frideric Handel or other pastiche works in royal biopics, Greenwood wanted to underline the empathy of how chaotic and colourful Diana was, in amongst that baroque tradition.[1] He wrote music in regular royal style with kettle drums, trumpets, harpsichords and pipe organs, and while playing, he substituted the baroque orchestra with free jazz players. He did not want the music to sound like the theme from Antiques Roadshow, but improvise them and let it sound vaguely baroque while leaving enough space for true anarchy and chaos.[2] [3]

There are sequences of music that had to be already in place, such as the Christmas Eve dinner where Diana has a breakdown. Larrain wanted the music to be a few minutes long, which Greenwood had written for it and Larrain edited the scenes, which he described as "lovely" as it meant that "all I had to do was write this piece of music and have players play it in a room without thinking about a time code and all of that stuff. It breathes. They are playing to each other rather than playing to a film."[4]

Reception

Matthew Strauss, in his review for Pitchfork assigned a score of 7.3 out of 10, and wrote "There is beauty throughout Greenwood’s Spencer, and it always sounds as if it’s about to collapse."[5] Brian Kiwanuka of Post Genre magazine wrote "The bar was set extremely high after the remarkable Phantom Thread, but the excellence of Spencer shows that Greenwood was more than up to the task."[6] Music critic Jonathan Broxton wrote "In the end, as is the case with most Greenwood scores, your tolerance for extended periods of dissonance, weirdness, and surprising unconventionality will determine whether or not you can settle in for the long haul and listen."[7] Nick Levine of NME wrote "All scenes, whether soft-hearted or stress-inducing, benefit from a magnificent score by Radiohead‘s Jonny Greenwood."[8] Mark Kermode of The Guardian called it as "a magnificent score that brilliantly accompanies and amplifies the drama".[9] Vanessa Ague of The Road to Sound wrote "Spencer’s soundtrack ultimately finds its footing in subtlety, in the moments where a tiny shift in rhythm, or bow stroke, or dynamic that signifies the rot inside of all the beauty."[10] A. O. Scott of The New York Times wrote "Jonny Greenwood’s lacerating score like a stiletto, leaves in tatters."[11]

Sumitra Nair of The Week wrote "The background score by Jonny Greenwood is startling and captivating. Greenwood has made use of classical violins and a spattering of jazz to capture the mood of the story, which has been done brilliantly, for right from the beginning one is acquainted with the princess' agony."[12] Justin Chang of Los Angeles Times wrote "The music shudders with all the raw-nerves lyricism you’d expect from Jonny Greenwood (adding another remarkable score to an oeuvre that includes There Will Be Blood and You Were Never Really Here)."[13] Ian Freer of Empire commented that Greenwood's score is "flitting between orchestral tumult and skittish free-flowing jazz".[14]

Accolades

AwardDate of ceremonyCategoryRecipient(s)Result
Austin Film Critics Association11 January 2022Best Original ScoreJonny Greenwood[15]
Boston Society of Film Critics Awards12 December 2021Best Original ScoreJonny Greenwood[16]
Chicago Film Critics Association Awards15 December 2021Best Original ScoreJonny Greenwood[17]
Critics' Choice Movie Awards13 March 2022Best ScoreJonny Greenwood[18]
Denver Film Critics Society17 January 2022Best ScoreJonny Greenwood [19]
Dorian Awards17 March 2022Best Film MusicJonny Greenwood [20]
Georgia Film Critics Association14 January 2022Best Original ScoreJonny Greenwood[21]
Gold Derby Film Awards16 March 2022Best Original ScoreJonny Greenwood[22]
Hollywood Critics Association28 February 2022Best Original ScoreJonny Greenwood[23]
Houston Film Critics Society Awards19 January 2022Best Original ScoreJonny Greenwood[24]
International Cinephile Society6 February 2022Best ScoreJonny Greenwood[25]
Los Angeles Film Critics Association Awards18 December 2021Best MusicJonny Greenwood[26]
Online Film Critics Society Awards24 January 2022Best Original ScoreJonny Greenwood[27]
San Francisco Bay Area Film Critics Circle10 January 2022Best Original ScoreJonny Greenwood[28]
Satellite Awards2 April 2022Best Original ScoreJonny Greenwood[29]
Seattle Film Critics Society17 January 2022Best Original ScoreJonny Greenwood[30]
St. Louis Gateway Film Critics Association Awards19 December 2021Best Music ScoreJonny Greenwood[31]
Washington D.C. Area Film Critics Association6 December 2021Best ScoreJonny Greenwood[32]

Notes and References

  1. News: Maxwell . Dominic . 2021-11-06 . Jonny Greenwood on Spencer: how I wrote the soundtrack to Diana's crisis . en . The Times . 2023-08-11 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211112063433/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/jonny-greenwood-spencer-how-i-wrote-the-soundtrack-to-diana-s-crisis-mpkdpmf2t . 2021-11-12 . 0140-0460.
  2. Web site: Earls . John . 2021-09-03 . Jonny Greenwood on writing the soundtrack for new Princess Diana biopic 'Spencer' . https://web.archive.org/web/20211108181725/https://www.nme.com/news/music/jonny-greenwood-spencer-soundtrack-interview-radiohead-new-album-the-smile-3036092 . 2021-11-08 . 2023-08-10 . NME . en-GB.
  3. Web site: 2021-09-03 . Jonny Greenwood on writing the 'Spencer' film soundtrack . https://web.archive.org/web/20211005195624/https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/jonny-greenwood-on-writing-the-score-for-new-princess-diana-biopic-spencer/ . 2021-10-05 . 2023-08-11 . Far Out . en-US.
  4. Ross . Alex . 2021-12-19 . How Jonny Greenwood Wrote the Year's Best Film Score . en-US . The New Yorker . 2023-08-10 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211224200820/https://www.newyorker.com/culture/the-new-yorker-interview/how-jonny-greenwood-wrote-the-years-best-film-score . 2021-12-24 . 0028-792X.
  5. Web site: Jonny Greenwood: Spencer (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) . https://web.archive.org/web/20220117162353/https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/jonny-greenwood-spencer/ . 2022-01-17 . 2023-08-11 . Pitchfork . en-US.
  6. Web site: 2021-11-17 . Review: Jonny Greenwood's Soundtrack to 'Spencer' . https://web.archive.org/web/20211117041229/https://postgenre.org/jonny-greenwood-spencer/ . 2021-11-17 . 2023-08-11 . PostGenre . en-US.
  7. Web site: 2021-12-07 . SPENCER – Jonny Greenwood . https://web.archive.org/web/20211208153146/https://moviemusicuk.us/2021/12/07/spencer-jonny-greenwood/ . 2021-12-08 . 2023-08-11 . MOVIE MUSIC UK . en.
  8. Web site: Levine . Nick . 2021-11-04 . 'Spencer' review: Diana in the arthouse – set to a stunning Jonny Greenwood score . https://web.archive.org/web/20221104093406/https://www.nme.com/reviews/film-reviews/spencer-review-kristen-stewart-jonny-greenwood-3087305 . 2022-11-04 . 2023-08-11 . NME . en-GB.
  9. News: Kermode . Mark . 2021-11-07 . Spencer review – portrait of a princess on the edge . en-GB . The Guardian . 2023-08-11 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211125014145/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2021/nov/07/spencer-review-portrait-of-a-princess-on-the-edge . 2021-11-25 . 0261-3077.
  10. Web site: 2022-01-20 . Album Review: Spencer Original Soundtrack . https://web.archive.org/web/20220930102358/https://theroadtosound.com/2022/01/20/album-review-spencer-original-soundtrack/ . 2022-09-30 . 2023-08-11 . The Road to Sound . en-US.
  11. News: Scott . A. O. . 2021-11-04 . 'Spencer' Review: Prisoner of the House of Windsor . en . The New York Times . 2023-08-11 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211110153550/https://www.nytimes.com/2021/11/04/movies/spencer-review.html . 2021-11-10 . 0362-4331.
  12. Web site: 'Spencer' review: The portrait of a princess as a woman . https://web.archive.org/web/20211124153804/https://www.theweek.in/review/movies/2021/11/19/spencer-review-the-portrait-of-a-princess-as-a-woman.html . 2021-11-24 . 2023-08-11 . The Week . en.
  13. Web site: Chang . Justin . 2021-11-04 . Review: Kristen Stewart's 'Spencer' continues the Diana-ssance. But don't call it a biopic . https://web.archive.org/web/20211107191206/https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/movies/story/2021-11-04/spencer-review-kristen-stewart-princess-diana . 2021-11-07 . 2023-08-11 . Los Angeles Times . en-US.
  14. Web site: 2021 . Spencer . https://web.archive.org/web/20211117010437/https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/spencer/ . 2021-11-17 . 2023-08-11 . Empire.
  15. Web site: Neglia . Matt . January 4, 2022 . The 2021 Austin Film Critics Association (AFCA) Nominations . https://web.archive.org/web/20220118070412/https://www.nextbestpicture.com/latest/the-2021-austin-film-critics-association-afca-nominations . January 18, 2022 . January 4, 2022 . live . Next Big Picture.
  16. Web site: Vincent . Maxance . 12 December 2021 . 2021 Boston Society of Film Critics Awards Announced . https://web.archive.org/web/20220120203151/https://awardsradar.com/2021/12/12/boston-society-of-film-critics-awards-announced/ . 20 January 2022 . 12 December 2021 . Awards Radar.
  17. Web site: Anderson . Erik . 13 December 2021 . 2021 Chicago Film Critics nominations: 'West Side Story' leads with 11 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211213180054/https://awardswatch.com/2021-chicago-film-critics-nominations-west-side-story-leads-with-11/ . 13 December 2021 . 13 December 2021 . AwardsWatch.
  18. Web site: Tangcay . Jazz . 13 December 2021 . Critics Choice Awards: 'Belfast' and 'West Side Story' Dominate Nominations . https://web.archive.org/web/20211217053007/https://variety.com/2021/awards/awards/critics-choice-nominations-2021-1235131779/ . 17 December 2021 . 13 December 2021 . Variety.
  19. Web site: Neglia . Matt . January 17, 2022 . The 2021 Denver Film Critics Society (DFCS) Winners . https://web.archive.org/web/20220118184216/https://www.nextbestpicture.com/latest/the-2021-denver-film-critics-society-dfcs-winners . January 18, 2022 . January 18, 2022 . live . Next Best Picture.
  20. Web site: Anderson . Erik . February 22, 2022 . 'The Power of the Dog' leads 2022 LGBTQ Critics Dorian Awards nominations . https://web.archive.org/web/20220812125640/https://awardswatch.com/the-power-of-the-dog-leads-2022-lgbtq-critics-dorian-awards-nominations/ . August 12, 2022 . February 23, 2022 . AwardsWatch.
  21. Web site: Georgia Film Critics Association: 2021 Awards . https://web.archive.org/web/20220119102157/https://www.georgiafilmcritics.org/p/2021-awards.html . January 19, 2022 . January 17, 2022 . Georgia Film Critics Association.
  22. Web site: January 27, 2022 . 2022 Gold Derby Film Awards nominations: 'Dune' leads with 11; 'The Power of the Dog,' 'West Side Story' at 10 each . https://web.archive.org/web/20220330054953/https://www.goldderby.com/feature/2022-gold-derby-film-awards-nominations-1204752092/ . March 30, 2022 . January 28, 2022 . Gold Derby.
  23. Web site: 2 December 2021 . DUNE, CODA, AND BELFAST LEAD THE 5TH ANNUAL HCA FILM AWARDS NOMINATIONS . https://web.archive.org/web/20220304112346/https://hollywoodcriticsassociation.com/dune-coda-and-belfast-lead-the-5th-annual-hca-film-awards-nominations/ . 4 March 2022 . 2 December 2021 . Hollywood Critics Association.
  24. Web site: Darling . Cary . January 3, 2022 . 'The Power of the Dog' takes a bite out of Houston Film Critics Society's nominations . https://web.archive.org/web/20220124061459/https://preview.houstonchronicle.com/movies-tv/power-of-the-dog-takes-a-bite-out-of-16745441 . January 24, 2022 . January 3, 2022 . Preview . Houston Chronicle.
  25. Web site: 6 February 2022 . 2022 ICS Awards Winners . https://web.archive.org/web/20220219202634/https://icsfilm.org/our-yearly-awards/2022-ics-award-winners/ . February 19, 2022 . February 8, 2022 . International Cinephile Society.
  26. Web site: Shanfield . Ethan . Murphy . J. Kim . 18 December 2021 . 'Drive My Car' and 'The Power of the Dog' Win Top Prizes at L.A. Film Critics Association Awards 2021 (Full List) . https://web.archive.org/web/20220406103621/https://variety.com/2021/film/news/lafca-winners-list-2021-1235137273/ . 6 April 2022 . 19 December 2021 . Variety.
  27. Web site: Neglia . Matt . January 18, 2022 . The 2021 Online Film Critics Society (OFCS) Nominations . https://web.archive.org/web/20220119194801/https://www.nextbestpicture.com/latest/the-2021-online-film-critics-society-ofcs-nominations . January 19, 2022 . January 19, 2022 . live . Next Big Picture.
  28. Web site: Neglia . Matt . January 7, 2022 . The 2021 San Francisco Bay Area Film Critics Circle (SFBAFCC) Nominations . https://web.archive.org/web/20220123133532/https://www.nextbestpicture.com/latest/the-2021-san-francisco-bay-area-film-critics-circle-sfbafcc-nominations . January 23, 2022 . January 7, 2022 . live . NextBestPicture.
  29. Web site: Anderson . Erik . 1 December 2021 . 'Belfast,' 'The Power of the Dog' lead 26th Satellite Awards nominations . https://web.archive.org/web/20220328153733/https://awardswatch.com/belfast-the-power-of-the-dog-lead-26th-satellite-awards-nominations/ . 28 March 2022 . 1 December 2021 . AwardsWatch.
  30. Web site: January 10, 2022 . "The Power of the Dog" Leads the 2021 Seattle Film Critics Society Nominations . https://web.archive.org/web/20220803195746/https://seattlefilmcritics.com/2022/01/10/the-power-of-the-dog-leads-the-2021-seattle-film-critics-society-nominations/ . August 3, 2022 . January 10, 2022 . Seattle Film Critics.
  31. Web site: Neglia . Matt . The 2021 St. Louis Film Critics Association (StLFCA) Nominations . https://web.archive.org/web/20220401215404/https://www.nextbestpicture.com/latest/the-2021-st-louis-film-critics-association-stlfca-nominations . 1 April 2022 . 12 December 2021 . live . NextBestPicture.
  32. Web site: 4 December 2021 . THE 2021 WAFCA AWARDS . https://web.archive.org/web/20220403031433/http://www.dcfilmcritics.com/awards/ . 3 April 2022 . 4 December 2021 . dcfilmcritics.